View Full Version : A good outdoor watch
I saw a thread on BB that made me think of this.
What do you guys and gals think would be the best watch for the outdoors.
I like the Traser watches. (they offered us one for review but also wanted it back in a sellable condition :roll: so we said NO) but they seem very good. At the mo I use an old Casio that has the sunset, sunrise and temp on it. It's tough, I have to say that!
want to borrow mine Tony?
You have a traser........did you marry a rich woman?? Do you like it? Which one?
Tony, I go for very high contrast, readability, waterproof, bombproof as I wear the same watch always and everywhere.
After being very disappointed by a Seiko quartz chronograph, I'm just waiting delivery of an MWC navy divers watch that seems to fit the bill and only cost a third of the price. Black dial, big white markings, tritium.
If anyone has any experience of MWC, I'd be interested to hear them.
My dream watches are the french "bell & ross" mechanical watches (using german movements). Really good design for readability but these are in Rolex territory so I can't ever imagine buying one :cry:
Cheers, Alick
Hi,
I seem to get by with my old swatch black plastic with a white dial and excellent luminous hands that really do glow in the dark. :lol:
It's: light, waterproof and accurate and since it only cost £30.00 if it gets trashed then it's not the end of the world.
If cash was no object then I'd go for a Panerai Luminor Marina. :lol: :lol:
http://www.panerai.com/english/index.htm
But they cost more than my house :-( and i'd probably need a weight lifting course to get my arm above my head as they look seriously chunky.
The CWC diver looks good and if it's as well made as the issue G10's then it should last for ever.
Cheers
John
I've had a couple over the years, I started with a casio G shock, then managed to get an issue CWC watch and I have now treated myself to a Suunto advizor. I like them all in there own way, the Suunto has some useful features and I got it cheaper because I got it in Holland as I was running through the airport, one of those impulse buys.
If you just want a watch that tells the time then the issue CWC would probably be my choice, I don't like going outdoors with a metal strap on my wrist (I've got a couple of Tags but I wore one in the desert a few years ago, never again).
Brian
If you just want a watch that tells the time then the issue CWC would probably be my choice, I don't like going outdoors with a metal strap on my wrist (I've got a couple of Tags but I wore one in the desert a few years ago, never again).
Brian
I've got an automatic CWC, and as you say for a watch that tells the time, and that you can always read easily, they're the business - very robust too
gurushaun
25-11-2003, 21:27
I've got a Rolex Explorer 2, which I've worn for the past 17 years, but I'm looking at the basic Traser as the lumo on the dial on my Rolex is a bit faint. Anyone with experience of Traser I'd be glad to hear about them.
Cheers
Shaun
You have a traser........did you marry a rich woman?? Do you like it? Which one?
This one...
http://www.jacksons-camping.co.uk/traser/images/p6500.jpg
Well, actually I have the older version, the 3000 which is no longer produced, this is the 6500 which is the same watch i think, with slightly different markings.
It's a good watch, I'll send it to you to review if you like?
gurushaun
26-11-2003, 09:22
I was looking at the Traser H3 P59 on the USMC site at £79.00. Seems good as a back up. Has anyone seen it anyware cheaper as USMC can be a little pricy (good service though, so swings and roundabouts :wink: ).
Cheers
Shaun
Roving Rich
27-11-2003, 11:17
Can you guys check out the range at Adventure1-
www.adventure1.co.uk
and let me know what you think ? I have never heard of any of them other than the Victorinox/swiss army watches, and I don't know if they are any good?
Cheers
(watchless)
Rich
I've got a Timex Ironman watch that cost me about 20 quid 8 years ago in the Middle East. Good light, plenty of alarms, countdown, etc. I've been through 3 different straps and the watch still works, is still waterproof, and I don't really care that much if I lose it as I'll just get another. Frankly, I'd be scared of losing anything over 30 quid!
I'm with Mikey on this one, the Timex Ironman is superb, tells the time every time. I'm on my third (don't bother changing the battery, just get a new one)- latest is the shock proof version (£20 at Argos). I have used these for years and they do everything you could ask (the night light is good enough to map read by too).
The other watch I use is a Polar heart rate monitor, very good for CV training and friction fire lighting (200BPM means theres a coal in the V notch!!!).
Neil1
Excellent - that should go down as another method of measuring maximum heart rate! I can see the description in the training manuals now:
"Zone 5c - 90-100% Heartrate - Power/Bowdrilling"
I was looking at the Traser H3 P59 on the USMC site at £79.00. Seems good as a back up. Has anyone seen it anyware cheaper as USMC can be a little pricy (good service though, so swings and roundabouts :wink: ).
Cheers
Shaun
Yeah, go to traser's own site, they're £75 there. :wink:
http://www.h3products.com/
i have to agree on the cheap side of things but been 18 and not having a job i would. timex do some with a compass bearing which i use to remember what bearing im meant to be on when biking. plus i have messed it up coming of the mountain bike so i still wouldn't spend a lot even if i could
my favorite watch is the one my wife bought me ......its a timex epedition with digital compass which has proved itself to be spot on £40..... :lol:
Here's mine. It's the titanium luminox, the overseas version of the traser. Been pretty durable so far considering how much abuse it's taken. Got a NATO band instead of the rubber one and put a suunto compass on it.
http://home.comcast.net/~caimangator/Pic/104_0406.JPG
The GF bought me one of the new Casio Protrek watches, bloody good actually, compass works a treat (unless you're standing under power cables) and I'm beginning to wonder how I lived without the barometer... stopped me getting wet several times :P
I have had a Traser for the past two years, and what a piece of kit it really is, still keeps perfect time and seem just as bright now as it was when I first bought it.
I also have one of the protrek watches made by Casio and providing that you set the watch up properly it is really acurate, the barometer has never been wrong, you have to remember that to take a temperature reading the watch needs to be taken off and left for at least ten mins or all you get is the temperature of your wrist.
All in all both of these watches are imo very good buy's. :-D
Animal watches are great bright and long lasting luminosity, and the great animal straps mean that even if one the pins comes of your watch won't if they can survive the pounding from surfing, bushcraft use should be a walk in the park, I've got a titanium waterproof to 200m and only £40 approx.
Just Changed my watch to a Traser one of the last of the old versions as they are changing to the H3 styles and i didnt like the look of teh new ones havent had it long enough to comment on it (1 Day) but the watch it replaced was fine and I was happy with it Except the illuminated dots needed recharging bout 1/2 hr after dark etc The Traser solves this problem.
My old watch is a Beaver Saturn, Beaver make a large range of Dive equiptment and nick nacks etc Ive had it bout 3yrs now and its had a good kicking there are quite a few scratches on the lens and its done a fair few dives down to 40m and the battery ran out just before christmas I will send it off for a replacement soon this was quoted By beaver as £15
The watch is About £60 new and there are a few others in the range including smaller versions for the ladies. other than the glowing dot problem its a great watch
Remember Water Resistant ratings actually mean
50m = Should be oks in the shower or light rain storm
100m = Should be oks for swimming or snorkeling
200m = Should be oks for Diving
some watches are being marked in pressure instead of depth
5ata = 40m
10ata= 90m
20ata= 190m
these are pretty much similer to the depth equivilents
Couple of mates ex forces swear by G-shock as Solid tough and cheap
Duncan
I tend to wear a Traser 3000 daily but i do like my Suunto Vector when going into the outdoors ... I really like the compass and get hooked on the barometer!
But the Traser is the easiest watch to read in the dark/low light that I've ever had.